Negative Anomalies of the Atmospheric Electric Field Close to Ground in Seismic Regions.

This study is concerned with little-studied negative bay-like anomalies of the atmospheric electric field close to ground that are recorded in seismic regions, provided the weather is "fair" for observations of atmospheric electricity. The results from observations of these anomalies have been summarized and analyzed; we have identified some features in their occurrence which provide evidence of a relationship to the deformation of near-ground rocks during the tectonoseismic process. We are using the theory of atmospheric electricity to discover the responsible source; this is a local negative space charge of small ions produced in the near-surface air under the influence of a negative vertical gradient of conductivity. It was found that the charge and the negative electric anomalies it generates have a deformation-emanation nature. We suggest a scheme for the generation of such anomalies; the roles of radon and thoron are discussed. It was found that thoron is occasionally more important than radon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]